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That was an understatement. We’d been plastered over what seemed to be every business magazine and gossip rag in the country alike. Marian had had to field calls from reporters for weeks afterward, and our office had resembled a gift shop once business associates had started sending engagement presents.
Her gaze left mine for the first time and traveled around the room, taking in the furniture and décor. “She’s done well for herself.”
“Yes, she has. Now, are you going to show me some identification or will security be escorting you from the building and ensuring you don’t return?”
Glaring at me once more, she pulled a wallet out of her handbag. I took the opportunity to look her over. While she was dressed in clothing that looked expensive, her blouse was missing a button on the sleeve and the hem of her skirt had fallen down on one side, which told me the clothing wasn’t new and might have been obtained second-hand.
She was trying to look as though she came from money, but probably didn’t. If she truly was Emilia’s mother, there would only be one reason she’d be here now after so many years.
And she wasn’t getting her hands on a penny of our money.
She pulled out a driver’s license and thrust it in my direction. Her name was listed as Janet Edwards, and I memorized the address on it. She certainly appeared to be the right age, and I knew Emilia’s mother’s first name was Janet.
“Edwards?”
“I got married some years ago. Quinn is my maiden name.”
“Okay, so if you are Emilia’s mother, why are you here?”
If I hadn’t been watching Janet’s face carefully, I would have missed the sneer she immediately masked with a polite smile. “I want to see my daughter.”
“Yes, you said that. Why now? Why haven’t you contacted her before?”
She folded her arms over her chest and huffed, causing a tendril of hair to fall out of her carefully coiffed hairdo. “I have my reasons. I don’t owe you a goddamn explanation.”
I considered my response carefully. “You’re right. You don’t. But let me make myself very clear. If you really are Emilia’s mother and the only reason you want contact now is to get money from her, you may as well walk out the door. You’ll never get a dime from her, now or ever. Do you understand me?”
“Fuck you!” she hissed. “You have no right to deny me access to my daughter.”
“Actually, yes, I do. If I consider you a threat to Emilia’s well-being, then I’ll do whatever I have to. Which means throwing you out on your ass right now and banning you from this building.”
I nodded at Hayden, and he stepped forward with his phone in hand. After snapping a few photos of the woman, he stepped back again.
“What the hell are you doing?”
“Taking photos of you to share with our security team, so they know what you look like. You’re never getting anywhere near Emilia. Hayden will see you out.” I turned my back on her and went over to the door.
“Please, wait.”
The tone of her voice made me hesitate, and I turned back around. “What?”
“Can we start over?” She held out her hand. “It’s lovely to meet you, Jason. I’m Janet, Emilia’s mother.”
I looked at her face properly for the first time since I’d laid eyes on her, and it became immediately apparent she was telling the truth. While her hair was now blonde, her eyes were the exact same shape and shade of brown as Emilia’s, and they had the same heart-shaped face. The resemblance was plainly there for anyone to see.
Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I reached for her hand and shook it briefly. I couldn’t get past the feeling of dread deep in the pit of my stomach. There was no good reason for this woman to be standing in front of me. If she’d truly wanted a relationship with Emilia, why had it taken her so long to seek her out?
“I will speak with Emilia and let her know that you stopped by to see her. Leave your number with Hayden, and if Emilia wants to contact you, she will. But the decision is entirely hers, and if she chooses not to, you have to respect that and leave us alone.”
I could tell my words were not what she wanted to hear, but Janet nodded once. “I had hoped to see her today.”
“That’s not going to happen. As I said, it will be up to Emilia if she wants contact with you.”
“Fine.” She breathed out slowly. “Thank you for your time today. Please be sure to let my daughter know I stopped by.”
“I will.” After giving Hayden a nod, I left the room and headed straight for the elevator back up to our floor, where Marian was waiting for me, anxiety written all over her face.
“Was it her?”
